NJ to Make Discount Drug Cards Available

arnguy · 02-28-2008, 06:07 PM

I saw a report the other day that NJ is going to have a free discount drug card available starting in July. It has no income requirements and will be available by download. Apparently, quite a few states are in this program, but not PA. However,there is a nationwide card that is available at Free drug card - download prescription drug card. I used it a few months ago to get an Rx. Although it stated that I could get it filled at my local pharmacy, they rejected it. I was able to get filled at a Walgreen's with a deep discount. The article reported that a Kansas woman who was getting a cancer drug costing her $200 a month was able to get it for $23 with the card. savings are supposed to be as high as 75% and one-third off on average. Also, there is no registration or monthly fee required. It covers 95% of prescription drugs, with the exceptions being new drugs.

somarco · 02-28-2008, 06:50 PM

Free Rx cards are everywhere. They usually come with kickbacks per script filled . . . anywhere from $0.10 to $0.50.

As a general rule, free cards are not accepted everywhere and the discounts are not as great as the cards that charge a fee.

Nor are the discounts as great as what is availble from carriers via your major med plan.

TXINSURANCE · 02-29-2008, 10:09 PM

This discourages people from buying plans with responsible coverages, although NJ market is beyond over legislated and screwed up.

I would love to know the break down of who has their hands in the cookie jar on this great "free" program.

senior-advisor-indiana · 02-29-2008, 10:13 PM

I didnt see any major discounts on the drugs I looked up.

I expected better Arnie.

arnguy · 03-01-2008, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by senior-advisor-indiana

I didnt see any major discounts on the drugs I looked up.

I expected better Arnie.

Well, I guess it depends on the particular drug. The one I purchased was an ointment prescribed by a dermatologist for a scab that was not healing properly. I don't remember the exact numbers, but the pharmacy I usually use wanted to charge about 50% more than the Walgreen's did with the card. I can't vouch for the card----I used only that one time.